Myth 1:
Schizophrenia
means having
multiple personalities
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Myth 1: Schizophrenia means having multiple personalities
Illuminating 9 Myths
of Schizophrenia
While schizophrenia is now a single diagnosis, symptoms vary greatly among people with the condition. Some see or hear things that aren’t there (visual and auditory hallucinations), while others have difficulties paying attention, remembering information, and staying motivated.
In fact, people with schizophrenia may even experience different symptoms at different times, and the severity of the symptoms may vary among individuals or from episode to episode.
Myth 2: Schizophrenia looks
the same in everyone
Plus, they tend to pose a greater danger to themselves than to other people. An older, large-scale, 7-year study found that the suicide rate among people with schizophrenia was 20 times higher than among the general population.
Myth 3: People with
schizophrenia are dangerous
Nothing happens all at once. “It’s quite rare to have a big drop in functioning,” says Demian Rose, MD, PhD, the medical director at the UCSF Path Program at the University of California, San Francisco. He runs a treatment program for young people at risk of developing psychosis or experiencing a first episode of psychosis.
Instead, schizophrenia tends to develop slowly.
Dr. Rose notes that initial symptoms often show
up in adolescence, especially in males.
Early symptoms may include unusual or confusing thoughts, subtle changes in perception, paranoid thinking, difficulty understanding others, or withdrawing from loved ones and everyday activities. These early signs can be easy to miss but may signal the beginning stages of the condition.
Myth 4: Schizophrenia
happens out of the blue
effectively managing stress
participating in daily activities
accomplishing goals that are important to you
improving your quality of life
In addition, family support, along with academic
or professional support, is incredibly helpful.
Myth 5:
Schizophrenia isn't treatable
A 16-year follow-up study found that with treatment, people with schizophrenia and substance use disorders experienced improvements in symptoms and quality of life. They also tended to live independently, work, and have social support.
Myth 9: People with schizhophrenia can't lead meaningful, fulfilling lives
experiencing severe side effects from medication
needing to change their medication
Again, the times when hospitalization is necessary depend on each person’s circumstances.
Myth 8: Long-term hospitalization for schizophrenia is imperative
In fact, this is one reason why the Schizophrenia
& Psychosis Action Alliance wants schizophrenia reclassified as a neurological disease.
Myth 7: Only people with
schizophrenia experience
things that aren't there
If one identical twin has schizophrenia, the other
Also, some research suggests that certain recreational drugs, particularly cannabis,
may increase a person’s chance of developing schizophrenia.
Still, it’s important to keep in mind that the observations in the study may not necessarily prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
Myth 6: If a family member has schizophrenia, you'll have it too
Myth 2:
Schizophrenia looks
the same in everyone
Myth 3:
People with schizophrenia are dangerous
Myth 5:
Schizophrenia
isn't treatable
Myth 7:
Only people
with schizophrenia experience things
that aren't there
Myth 9:
People with schizhophrenia can't lead meaningful, fulfilling lives
Myth 4:
Schizophrenia happens out of the blue
Myth 6:
If a family member
has schizophrenia,
you'll have it too
Myth 8:
Long-term
hospitalization
for schizophrenia
is imperative
However, instead of split personalities, schizophrenia refers to a split from reality. People with schizophrenia may have hallucinations and delusions, which are known as positive symptoms. This means that they can experience things that aren’t there. Or, they may believe things that aren’t factually true.
By contrast, DID — which is also highly misunderstood and sensationalized — involves having several fragmented identities versus a single, whole self.
Many people confuse schizophrenia with dissociative identity disorder (DID). This is somewhat understandable, as schizophrenia technically translates to “split mind” from Greek.
Instead of being the perpetrators of violence, people with schizophrenia are often the victims
of violent crime.
than the condition itself, as 2019 research suggests.
There is a slightly higher rate of aggression among people with schizophrenia. But in some cases, that increased risk may be due to substance use rather
Antipsychotic medication helps reduce
hallucinations and delusions. Psychotherapy is also important for reducing symptoms and helping with:
Schizophrenia “is an eminently treatable and manageable chronic illness, just like diabetes or heart disease,” says Irene S. Levine, PhD, a psychologist and co-author of “Schizophrenia for Dummies.”
Treatments vary based on the person’s specific symptoms, challenges, and needs. In general, effective treatment includes taking antipsychotic medication and going to therapy.
If one identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin has a 33% chance of having it.
But genetics is just one piece of the complex puzzle. Environment is another piece. Contributing environmental factors may include:
viral or bacterial infections
malnutrition, illness, and maternal stress
during pregnancy
major stress during critical parts of development
While the exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown, experts do know that it’s due to a combination of factors, including genetics.
dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
Actually, multiple medical conditions can cause a range of hallucinations — hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and feeling things that don’t exist.
These conditions include:
Parkinson’s disease
brain tumors
epilepsy
migraine
Most people with schizophrenia don’t need to stay in a hospital and do best when attending outpatient treatment and living at home.
However, when a person is experiencing a crisis,
a short-term hospital stay is important. For example, this may be when person is:
having severe symptoms
experiencing a psychotic episode
talking about hurting themselves or others
People with schizophrenia differ greatly in the severity of their symptoms, and, naturally, their circumstances and life situations.
It’s true that some people with schizophrenia experience challenges. For example, 2019 research suggests that schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are linked to homelessness.
However, many individuals with schizophrenia thrive. They have jobs, families, and fulfilling hobbies.
The key to living well with schizophrenia, or any chronic illness, is to find the right treatment and
to stick with it.
